It’s probably the whole going back to work after the long summer break thing – but September has felt very long, I have been very tired, and it seems I’m finishing the month off with a cold. I have read nine books during September and I’m part way through another – that is a little under my average, and one of the books was very short.
94 Tess of the d’Urbervilles (1891) Thomas Hardy (F)
95 House-Bound (1942) Winifred Peck (F)
96 Remember, Remember! (1999) Winifred Holtby (F)
97 A Room with a View (1908) E M Forster (F)
98 Welcome Strangers (1986) Mary Hocking (F)
99 The Pre-War House & other stories (2013) Alison Moore (F)
100 The Thoughts &happenings of Wilfred Price… (2012) Wendy Jones (F)
101 Crampton Hodnet (1985) Barbara Pym (F)
102 The Fatal Eggs (1925) Mikhail Bulgakov (F)
As you can see – there is no non-fiction on the list again, I’m seriously off non-fiction these days. However I did read quite a variety of things, including six books from my classic club list. The literary highlights of September were: Tess of the d’Urbervilles a re-read for my Hardy challenge, A room with a View, another re-read, for the classic club spin, and Persephone book House-Bound. I read two books of very different short stories with some stories as ever being better than others. Welcome Strangers was an excellent final instalment to Hocking’s Fairley family trilogy, lovely Crampton Hodnet felt like vintage Pym while Bulgakov took me right out of my comfort zone.
So on to October – I have decided it’s pointless putting together a pile of books to read during the month – as I seem to be getting worse at sticking to it. I do have several on my horizon – including the books I pledged to read this month then didn’t get around to, and several hardbacks I had meant to read in the summer but didn’t. There will be another Pym too, this time one I haven’t read before rather excitingly. But from now on I think I will be guided by my mood. I feel strangely liberated by that – no more piles (of books that is). Now October is when autumn proper hits – to my mind – and I do sometimes fancy something with a gothic element – all swirling mists and horse drawn coaches racing through the night – and I may have something to fit the bill. So what will you be reading –as the nights really start to draw in?
heavenali 
Seeing your move away from Non Fiction has reminded me of a conversation thread I’ve seen elsewhere where people have indicated that “non-fiction” is of more value than “fiction”. One suggestion is that this is as a result in the change of English school reading lists changing to primarily non-fiction books. What do you think (new post optional!).
hmm i’ve often suspected that some people believe that- I think it’s nonsense. Yes there is a lot of non-fiction that would be considered very worthy/difficult – but there is an awful lot of rubbish too. The same of course is true of fiction some very worhy/hard stuff versus a lot of rubbish.
That’s interesting that fiction has moved off the curriculum, how odd. I have definitely found comfort in an “easy” non-fiction and a challenge in a much more “worthwhile” work of fiction!
I sympathise about how September has felt rather slow and yet I seem to have not read as much as I usually do. I hope you will feel better soon! I too am in the mood to read more gothic and mysterious reads during October 🙂
🙂 it’s those dark evenings isn’t it.
Yay! Free reading – definitely a good thing! Although I appreciate lots of people like goals and challenges, I’ve personally come to realise I have to read what my mood tells me. Hopefully, you’ll find that in October the reading mojo returns – ghost stories if you fancy them on a dark night, vintage crime – whatever takes your fancy. I’ll look forward to hearing about what you read!
Thank you 🙂
I had what felt like a slow September although I read nearly two whole sets of three-books-in-one so it wasn’t THAT bad. Although I usually just work through my TBR in vague acquisition order in a particular month, for the last few months I haven’t really been able to do that – month of re-reading in July, All Virago/All August and a lot of review books in September plus these large volumes I’m working through with M, who seems to have Anthony Powell mania at the moment – and although they’ve taken books out of the back shelf of the TBR and maintained its size, the same ones remain at the start, feeling neglected. So I’m looking forward to having only, let’s see, 3.5 books I HAVE to read, and getting on with those books bought in March …
I wouldn’t worry – your TBR is no where near as crazy as mine 🙂 and the Powells should count as three books shouldn’t they? So really you have read a lot! When I get them I’m going to count each part as one book, that’s allowed isn’t it?
Yes, you’re right, I should, and if I do, you should too! After all, they were published separately, and I seem to recall that when I was on that book diet I tried to claim each was one book and got short shrift for that!
September always drags and it’s even worse when half term is as late as it is this year. The only time that even comes near it is January which my mother always believed we dated from Boxing Day thus making it well over five weeks in length. A lot of my reading this month is going to be dictated by book groups and courses so I’m not going to get much choice in the matter. I may pick up something new at the Saturday’s Reader’s Afternoon at the new library. Are you going?
I didn’t know about the Reader’s Afternoon – I may actually make it along as I was popping into town this Saturday anyway and was going to take my library books back.
It’s 1 till 4 if you are around and the last two have been marked not only by excellent speakers but also by cake! I’ll keep my eyes open for you.
ok thanks for telling me about it.
Where has the time gone? I can’t believe it’s already October. I’m in the mood for some gothic fiction too. I will be reading Dracula and The Count of Monte Cristo this month. Look forward to hearing what you decide to read.
I’ve read Dracula ages ago – but never managed The Count of Monte Cristo – saw a subtitled mini series with Gerard Depardieu years ago – actually watched it twice – and loved that.
Hope you’re feeling better. Everyone seems to have colds here at the moment! I have a hard time deciding what to read next – sometimes I’ll stand in front of the shelves for ages before I choose, sit down, change my mind and repeat the process…
I think I may be standing before the bookcase struggling to decide too 🙂